There are many things in this world that have brought my emotions to the surface.  The death of a family member, first love, car theft, etc.  Nothing in this world brings me on the rollercoaster of emotions like Oakland Athletics baseball.  I grew up in the midwest, really in the midwest, eastern Montana to be exact.  There were no other professional sports within any BORDERING state.  And being on the east side Big Sky country we had absolutely no affiliation.  My older brother was a Dodger fan, and I had a natural affinity for the Cubs.  But in 1987 at the age of 9 I got to watch my first idol.  Mark McGwire was simply the best in my eyes.  The number 25 quickly became my number in everthing, and remains to this day.  I grew up on the big payroll teams of the late 80s and early 90s.  Went through the lean years and finally had real a thorough grasp of the game when the A's started winning again.  The continual let down of those playoff losses were only made easier by my best friend's own troubles with his Atlanta Braves.  The A's bring out my despair when they lose and my gigantic ego and pride when they win.  I can feel emotions pulsating through my body just by conjuring up images of Derek Jeter.  I love this team and it drains me.